Unit History: Royal Hampshire Regiment

The Hampshire Regiment was formed on 1st July 1881 when The 37th (North Hampshire) Regiment of Foot and The 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment of Foot were merged as part of the Childers reforms.

The 37th Regiment of Foot was first formed in 1702 and as was the tradition at the time named ‘Meredith’s Regiment’ after Thomas Meredith, the Colonel of the Regiment who raised it in Dublin. The Regiment then served in various campaigns including The War of Spanish Succession (1704-1710) and The War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748). In 1745 The Regiment returned to England when Bonnie Prince Charlie (the grandson of the deposed James II) landed in Scotland, attempting to regain the crown lost to the Stuart family in 1688 and incited the Jacobite Rising. The Regiment fought for the Hanoverian King George II at the Battles of Falkirk and Culloden. In 1751 the Regiment became The 37th Regiment of Foot as part of a scheme to simplify the naming system of British Army Regiments. The Regiment was once again involved in foreign campaigns including, The Seven Years War (1756–1763) and The American War of Independence (1775-1783). In 1783 The 37th became The 37th North Hampshire Regiment in order to aid recruitment. The Regiment was involved in various campaigns including The Peninsular War and The First War of Indian Independence.
The 67th Regiment of Foot was initially the 2nd Battalion of the 20th Foot but detached in 1758 and became the 67th of Foot. The Regiment saw its first action on the aborted expedition to capture St. Malo in 1758. It was part of the force sent to capture Belle Isle during the Seven Years War, also served in The Spanish invasion of Portugal 1762 and was stationed in India from 1805 after the Second Anglo-Maratha War and participated in The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818), remaining in India for 21 years. In 1783 The 67th became The 67th South Hampshire Regiment in order to aid recruitment. The Regiment was further involved in foreign campaigns including The Second and Third China Wars (1857-1865) and The Japan Expedition (1862–1864).

Both Regiments were amalgamated in 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms and became the Hampshire Regiment. The Childers Reforms restructured the British army infantry Regiments. The reorganization created a network of multi-battalion Regiments each having two regular and two militia battalions except in Ireland were two regular and three militia battalions became the standard. The newly formed Regiment engaged in various foreign campaigns including; Secunderabad (1886-1888), Burma (1888–1891), South African War (1899–1902), and two World Wars.

In 1946 The Regiment was awarded the distinguished title of ‘Royal’. In 1992 The Regiment was merged with The Queen's Regiment to form The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. This resulted in The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment having a total of 57 Victoria Crosses making it most decorated Regiment in the British Army.

Royal Hampshire Regiment during WW1

Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and moved from a policy of maintaining the status quo to a more aggressive position. He did not renew a treaty with Russia, aligned Germany with the declining Austro-Hungarian Empire and started to build a Navy rivalling that of Britain. These actions greatly concerned Germany’s neighbours, who quickly forged new treaties and alliances in the event of war. On 28th June 1914 Franz Ferdinand the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated by the Bosnian-Serb nationalist group Young Bosnia who wanted pan-Serbian independence. Franz Joseph's the Austro-Hungarian Emperor (with the backing of Germany) responded aggressively, presenting Serbia with an intentionally unacceptable ultimatum, to provoke Serbia into war. Serbia agreed to 8 of the 10 terms and on the 28th July 1914 the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, producing a cascade effect across Europe. Russia bound by treaty to Serbia declared war with Austro-Hungary, Germany declared war with Russia and France declared war with Germany. Germany’s army crossed into neutral Belgium in order to reach Paris, forcing Britain to declare war with Germany (due to the Treaty of London (1839) whereby Britain agreed to defend Belgium in the event of invasion). By the 4th August 1914 Britain and much of Europe were pulled into a war which would last 1,566 days, cost 8,528,831 lives and 28,938,073 casualties or missing on both sides.

The Regiment formed a total of 32 Battalions and received 82 Battle Honours and 3 Victoria Crosses losing 7,580 men during the course of the war.

1st Battalion04.08.1914 Stationed at Colchester as part of the 11th Brigade of the 4th Division at the outbreak of war then moved to Harrow.23.08.1914 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;During 1914The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of Messines 1914. Dec 1914 This Battalion took part in the Christmas Truce of 1914.During 1915The Second Battle of Ypres During 1916The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Le Transloy. During 1917The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle, The First Battle of Passchendaele. During 1918The First Battle of Arras 1918, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Drocourt-Queant, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of Valenciennes. 11.11.1918 Ended the war in France, Haspres N.W. of Solesmes.

2nd Battalion04.08.1914 Stationed at Mhow, India at the outbreak of war.16.11.1914 Embarked for England from Bombay arriving at Plymouth 22.12.1914 and then moved to Romsey.13.02.1915 Moved to Stratford-on-Avon and joined the 88th Brigade of the 29th Division and then moved to Warwick.29.03.1915 Mobilised for war and embarked for Gallipoli from Avonmouth via Alexandria.25.04.1915 Landed at Gallipoli and engaged in various actions including The Battles for Krithia and the Achi Baba heights.08.01.1916 Evacuated to Alexandria due to heavy casualties from combat, disease and severe weather conditions.Mar 1916 Moved to France landing at Marseilles where the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;During 1916The Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges.During 1917The First Second and Third Battles of the Scarpe, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle, The Battle of Cambrai.During 1918The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Messines 1918, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bailleul, The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63, The Battle of Ypres 1918, The Battle of Courtrai. 11.11.1918 Ended the war in Belgium, near Lessines.

3rd Battalion04.08.1914 Stationed at Winchester then moved to Parkhurst, Isle of Wight.Jan 1915 Moved to Gosport where it remained.

1/4th 1/5th and 1/7th Battalion04.08.1914 The 1/4th stationed at Wincester and the 1/5th stationed at Carlton Place, Southampton and the 1/7th stationed at Bournemouth, all part of the Hampshire Brigade of the Wessex Division and then moved to Bulford.09.10.1914 Embarked for India from Southampton where the Division was broken up.Mar 1915 Moved to Mesopotamia landing at Basra and joined the 33rd Indian Brigade.April 1915 Transferred to the 30th Indian brigade of the 12th Indian Division.07.02.1915 Defending H.Q. except one company besieged in Kut al Amara until captured after surrender.May 1916 Reconstituted and transferred to the 35th Brigade of the 14th Indian Division.July 1916 Transferred to the Corps Troops of the Tigris Corps.Nov 1916 Transferred to the 36th Indian Brigade of the 14th Indian Division.31.10.1918 Ended the war in Persia, Zenjan S.W. of Resht near the Caspian Sea.

1/6th (Duke of Connaught’s Own) Battalion Territorial Force04.08.1914 Stationed at Portsmouth, all part of the Hampshire Brigade of the Wessex Division and then moved to Bulford.09.10.1914 Embarked for India from Southampton where the Division was broken up and battalion remained in India.Sept 1917 Moved to Mesopotamia landing at Basra.16.09.1917 Transferred to the 52nd Brigade of the 17th Indian Division.31.10.1918 Ended the war in Mesopotamia, Fatha on Tigris north of Tikrit.

1/8th (Isle of Wight Rifles, ‘Princess Beatrice’s’) Battalion Territorial Force.04.08.1914 Stationed at Newport and then moved to Isle of Wight and joined the 163rd Division of the 54th Division and moved to Bury St. Edmunds and then Watford.30.07.1915 Mobilised for war and embarked for Gallipoli from Liverpool.09.08.1915 Landed at Suvla Bay and engaged in various actions03.12.1915 Evacuated from Gallipoli to Egypt due to heavy losses from combat, disease and severe weather.31.10.1918 Ended the war in Palestine, near Beirut.

1/9th (Cyclist) Battalion Territorial Force04.08.1914 Stationed at Southampton then moved to Louth Lincs. and then Chichester.April 1915 Moved to St. Leonards and then to Chiseldon joining 3 other Cyclist Battalions; The 2/6th Royal Sussex, The 1/25 London and The 1/1st Kent and converted into Infantry.04.02.1916 Embarked for India from Devonport, Plymouth.Oct 1918 Moved to Siberia, Vladivostock in order to support the Russian ‘White Army’ against the Bolshevik ‘Red Army’.28.11.1918 In Russia and Siberia until Nov 1919 when returned to England via Canada arriving Southampton 05.12.1919.

2/4th Battalion Territorial ForceSept 1914 Formed on Salisbury Plain and then moved to Winchester. Oct 1914 Joined the 2/1st Hampshire Brigade of the 2/Wessex Division.13.12.1914 Embarked for Pakistan from Southampton.11.01.1915 Arrived at Karachi where the Division was broken up, and drafts used to supply the 1st Line.29.04.1917 Embarked for Egypt.15.05.1917 Transferred to the 233rd Brigade of the 75th Division. The Division was engaged in various actions in Palestine including;During 1917The Third Battle of Gaza, The Capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil. During 1918The Battle of Tell'Asur, The Battle of Berukin. May 1918 Moved to France leaving the 75th Division and arriving at Marseilles 01.07.1918.05.06.1918 Joined the 186th brigade of the 62nd Division and engaged in various actins of the Western Front including;The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Selle, The capture of Solesmes, The Battle of the Sambre. 11.11.1918 Ended the war in France, east of Maubeuge.

2/5th Battalion Territorial ForceSept 1914 Formed on Salisbury Plain and then moved to Lyndhurst. Oct 1914 Joined the 2/1st Hampshire Brigade of the 2/Wessex Division.13.12.1914 Embarked for India from Southampton.04.01.1915 Arrived at Bombay where the Division was broken up, and drafts used to supply the 1st Line.Mar 1917 Embarked for Egypt arriving at Ismailia.04.04.1917 Transferred to the 233rd Brigade of the 75th Division. The Division was engaged in various actions in Palestine including;During 1917The Third Battle of Gaza, The Capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil. During 1918The Battle of Tell'Asur, The Battle of Berukin. Aug 1918 Disbanded in Palestine remaining 5 Officers and 300 men transferred to 1/4th Wiltshire Regiment.

2/6th (Duke of Connaught’s Own) Battalion Territorial ForceSept 1914 Formed at Portsmouth and then moved to Petersfield, Bournemouth and Hurley Park.01.09.1916 Absorbed by the 5th Reserve Battalion.

2/7th Battalion Territorial ForceSept 1914 Bournemouth.Oct 1914 Joined the 2/1st Hampshire Brigade of the 2/Wessex Division.13.12.1914 Embarked for India from Southampton.04.01.1915 Arrived at Bombay where the Division was broken up, and drafts used to supply the 1st Line.Sept 1917 Embarked for Mesopotamia arriving at Basra.Sept 1918 Moved to defend the Lines of Communication and attached to the 38th Brigade of the 13th Division.31.10.1918 Ended the war in Mesopotamia, near Delli Abbas N.E. of Bagdad.

2/8th (Isle of Wight Rifles, ‘Princess Beatrice’s’) Battalion Territorial ForceDec 1914 Formed at Newport and then moved to Hursley Park and Bournemouth.01.09.1916 Absorbed by the 4th Reserve Battalion.

2/9th (Cyclist) Battalion Territorial ForceSept 1914 Formed at Louth and then moved to Chichester and Bognor.Oct 1917 Moved to Sandown.April 1918 Moved to Herringfleet and joined the 225th Brigade.Oct 1918 Moved to Lowestoft.

3/4th Battalion Territorial ForceMar 1915 Formed at Winchester and then moved to Bournemouth.08.04.1916 Became the 4th Reserve Battalion and moved to Romsey.01.09.1916 Absorbed by the 2/8th Battalion of the Wessex Reserve Brigade.Feb 1917 Moved to Sutton Veny then absorbed by the 5th Reserve Battalion.Oct 1917 Moved to Larkhill.April 1918 Moved to Belfast, Ireland.

3/5th Battalion Territorial ForceMar 1915 Formed at Southampton and then moved to Bournemouth.08.04.1916 Moved to Romsey and joined the 5th Reserve Battalion.01.09.1916 Absorbed by the 2/8th Battalion of the Wessex Reserve Brigade.Feb 1917 Moved to Sutton Veny and absorbed into the 4th Reserve Battalion.

3/7th Battalion Territorial ForceMar 1915 Formed at Bournemouth.08.04.0916 Became the 7th Reserve Battalion and moved to Romsey.01.09.1916 Absorbed by the 5th Reserve Battalion.

3/9th (Cyclist) Battalion Territorial ForceApril 1916 Formed at Fort Southwick, Portsmouth.01.09.1916 Absorbed by the 5th Reserve Battalion and moved to Romsey.

10th (Service) BattalionAug 1914 Formed at Winchester as part of the First New Army (K1) and then moved to Dublin and then to Mullingar.Mar 1915 Moved to Curragh and joined the 29th Brigade of the 10th Division and then moved on to Basingstoke.07.07.1915 Mobilised for war and embarked for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros.06.08.1915 Landed at Gallipoli and engaged in various actions including; Sari Bair and at Hill 60.30.09.1915 Evacuated to Mudros due to heavy losses from combat, disease and severe weather conditions.06.10.1915 Arrived at Salonika and engaged in various actions against the Bulgarian Army including; action at Kosturino, action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi. 02.11.1916 Transferred to the 82nd Brigade of the 27th Division which engaged in various actions including;During 1917The capture of Homondos.During 1918The capture of the Roche Noir Salient, The passage of the Vardar River and pursuit to the Strumica valley.30.09.1918 Ended the war in Macedonia, Dedeli N.W. of Lake Doiran.

11th (Service) BattalionSept 1914 Formed at Winchester as part of the Second New Army (K2) and then moved to Dublin and then to Mullingar.Dec 1914 Became the Pioneer Battalion of the 16th Division.Mar 1915 Moved to Kilworth and then Aldershot.18.12.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;During 1916The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy. During 1917The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Langemark. During 1918The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Rosieres.02.05.1918 Reduced to training cadre due to heavy losses.18.06.1918 Returned to England embarking at Boulogne and arriving at Folkstone. Moved to Lowestoft and reconstituted with the 13th Border regiment.03.07.1918 Moved to Aldershot01.08.1918 Moved back to France landing at Boulogne and the Division once again engaged in various actions on the Western Front including; The Final Advance in Artois.11.11.1918 Ended the war in Belgium, Antoing south of Tournai.

12th (Service) BattalionOct 1914 Formed at Winchester as part of the Third New Army (K3) and then moved to Codford to join the 79th Brigade of the 26th Division.Nov 1914 Moved to Basingstoke, then Bath, the in Sutton Veny by May 1915.Sept 1915 Mobilised for war and landed in France.15.11.1915 Embarked for Salonika from Marseilles and the Division engaged in various actions against the Bulgarian Army including;During 1916The Battle of Horseshoe Hill.During 1917The Battles of Doiran. During 1918The Battle of Doiran, The Pursuit to the Strumica Valley.30.09.1918 Ended the war in Macedonia, N.W. of Lake Doiran.

13th (Reserve) BattalionOct 1914 Formed at Parkhurst as a service battalion of the Fourth New Army (K4) in the 96th Brigade of the 32nd Division.May 1915 Moved to Wareham and the Bovington and transferred to the 8th Reserve Brigade.01.09.1916 Became the 34th Training Reserve and moved to Wool.

14th (Service) Battalion (1st Portsmouth)03.09.1914 Formed by the Mayor and local committee in Portsmouth.30.05.1915 Taken over by the War Office.Oct 1915 Moved to Witley and joined the 116th Brigade of the 39th Division.06.03.1916 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;During 1916The fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights, The Battle of the Ancre. During 1917The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Second Battle of Passchendaele. 22.03.1918 Disbanded in France, at Haut Allaines.

15th (Service) Battalion (2nd Portsmouth)05.04.1915 Formed by the Mayor and local committee in Portsmouth.03.05.1915 Taken over by the War Office and moved to Aldershot to join the 122nd Brigade of the 41st Division.May 1916 Mobilised for war and landed in France and the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;During 1916The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. During 1917The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road, Operations on the Flanders coast.27.09.1917 amalgamated with the 1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry (now dismounted).12.11.1917 Moved to Italy arriving at Mantua, to strengthen the Italian resistance.Mar 1918 Returned to France and once again engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Arras, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, The Battle of Ypres, The Battle of Courtrai, The action of Ooteghem.11.11.1918 Ended the war in Belgium, Nuekerke south of Audenarde.

16th (Reserve) Battalion (Portsmouth)Sept 1915 Formed as a local Reserve Battalion from the depot companies of the 14th and 15th Battalions in Portsmouth.Jan 1916 Moved to Chiseldon and joined the 22nd Reserve Brigade.01.09.1916 Became the 96th Training Reserve Battalion.

17th Battalion Territorial Force01.01.1917 Formed in Herne Bay from the 84th Provisional Battalion of the 227th Brigade, then moved to Whitstable.Feb 1918 Moved to Southwold where it remained.

18th (Home Service) BattalionDec 1916 Formed at Alton and joined the 213th Brigade of the 71st Division and moved to Aldershot.Mar 1917 Moved to Colchester and then disbanded in December.

1st Garrison BattalionApril 1916 Formed at Portland and then went to France.31.07.1918 Became the 19th Garrison Battalion.

51st (Graduated) Battalion27.10.1917 formed from the 280th Graduated Battalion Territorial Force (previously the 33rd Battalion) as part of the 201st Brigade of the 67th Division and moved to Canterbury.Mar 1918 Moved to Foxhall Heath, Ipswich where it remained.

52nd (Graduated) Battalion27.10.1917 Formed from the 281st Graduated Battalion Territorial Force (previously the 93rd Battalion) as part of the 201st Brigade of the 67th Division and moved to Canterbury.Mar 1918 Moved to Foxhall Heath, Ipswich where it remained.

53rd (Young Soldiers) Battalion27.10.1917 Formed from the 37th Young Soldiers Battalion Territorial Force based at Sutton Veny as part of the 8th Reserve Brigade.Jan 1918 Moved to Rolleston where it remained.

Royal Hampshire Regiment during WW2

WW2 Battalions of the Hampshire Regiment

1st Battalion:When war broke the Battalion was serving in India.11 December 1939: It was deployed to El Daba, Egypt and involved in the first British offensive in the Western Desert, serving at Sidi Barrani.June 1940: It was moved to Moascar, then to Mearsa Matruh. After the fall of Sidi Barrani, one of their duties was to look after the large number of Italian prisoners.21 February 1941: It arrived in Malta and remained on the island for the entire siege during which Hitler and Mussolini attempted to bomb the island into submission.03 April 1943: It was attached to 231 Infantry Brigade, 46th Division and moved to Alexandria. It trained as an independent assault brigade.22 July 1943: It joined the assault on Sicily and suffered 300 casualties in three weeks.08 September 1943: It landed at Potro San Venere near Pizzo.23 September 1943: It was back in Sicily waiting for transport back to the UK04 November 1943: The battalion for the first time in 22 years returned to England. With the same Brigade but now in 50th (Northumbrian) Division, began training for the Normandy landings, code-named 'Operation Overlord'. 06 June 1944: It landed on Gold Beach. It took the village of Le Hamel then, by nightfall completing their objective, capturing Arromanches. This became the site for a temporary harbour to be built by the allies known as the Mulberry Harbour.29 October 1944: The Battalion returned to Ypres, Belgium and continued to serve in North-West Europe until VE Day.

2nd Battalion:August 1939: The Battalion was in Aldershot, Hampshire.13 September 1939: The Battalion was sent to France as part of the BEF attached to 1st Guards Brigade, 1st Division. 10 October 1939: Had moved to the Belgian/French border.04 February 1940: It stayed for three weeks on the Maginot Line.11 May 1940: Due to the invasion of Belgium by the Germans, the Battalion in response went into Belgium 16 May 1940: The Battalion was ordered to retreat.01&02 June 1940: Evacuated from Dunkirk and returned to England where it was reinforced and re-equipped. 11 November 1942: Set sail for Africa to take part in ‘Operation Torch’.21 November 1942: It landed at Algiers.29 November 1942: It then was moved to Tebourba. The next day the Battalion were heavily attacked by shelling.01 December 1942: It came under heavy attack by a force four times its size. After three days the Battalion was forced back and retreated through Tebourba by now all the other troops had been withdrawn and the road behind them had been cut off. Some of the Battalion managed to break through allied lines but many were captured. 13 May 1943: After the fall of Tunis, the Battalion had become attached to 128 (Hampshire) Brigade, 46th Division and took part in the Salerno landing. It went on to fight in the Italian campaign attached to the same Brigade including battles at Monte Ornito and at Monte Cassino.

The 1/4th, 2/4th and 5th (Hants) Battalions:These Battalions were formed into the 128th ‘Hampshire’ Brigade, part of the 43rd (Wessex) Division. January 1943: the Brigade left the 43rd Division and joined the 46th (West Riding) Division for North Africa. September 1943: Later when the war in N.Africa had ended the Brigade landed at Salerno, Italy and suffered very heavy casualties.February 1944: The Brigade was taken to Egypt where reinforcements were taken on. August 1944: They were back in action in Italy. December 1944: Relieved once again.January 1945: They were sent to Greece to disarm communist guerillas.April 1945: The Brigade moved back to Italy. The war was over before they could go into action again.

Memories of Royal Hampshire Regiment

(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)

Royal Hampshire Regiment, UNICYP in 1968

Written by Derek Cox

Out post near Kpohinu (not sure of spelling) It was my turn to burn out the thunder box. Normal procedure was to pour down parrafin then throw down a lighted wick. For some reason petrol was in the jerry can instead of parrafin.The consiquance was an explosion resulting in the distruction of the thunder box and me being blown back and covered in s--t.The Medic driver made me sit on the tail gate of the land rover untill we reached the medical centre in Limassol.Is this classed as injured in the line of duty?